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New York Times Publishes Ragosta Letter

The New York Times published a letter written by Visiting Assistant Professor of History John Ragosta in response to an article that recently appeared in that paper about a new clinic at Stanford Law School enlisting students to oppose restrictions on the free expression of religion. In the letter printed in the paper’s Jan. 29 edition Ragosta wrote, “the Religious Liberty Clinic has amputated religious liberty’s meaning, suggesting that protecting free exercise is ‘the other side’ from preventing government establishment, embracing the culture wars’ canard that freedom of religion somehow fights freedom from religion in the First Amendment.”

Ragosta, who is the author of the forthcoming book, Religious Freedom: Jefferson’s Legacy, America’s Creed, referenced the words of 18th century evangelists who played a crucial role in religious freedom’s development. He concluded by emphasizing that freedom from government intrusion must include “government-led prayers and endorsement of religion” and that, “A vibrant public square for religious discussion is best promoted by keeping government out.”